diaphragm

The broad muscle below your lungs that moves to help you breathe.

• Your diaphragm helps you breathe.
• The diaphragm moves down when you breathe in.
• Singers learn to control their diaphragm.

Common phrases: the diaphragm, diaphragm muscle, relaxed diaphragm

A flexible cup placed inside the vagina to cover the entrance to the womb and help prevent pregnancy.

• She uses a diaphragm for birth control.
• The nurse explained how to insert the diaphragm.
• A diaphragm must fit properly.

Common phrases: contraceptive diaphragm, insert a diaphragm, use a diaphragm

A thin part inside a speaker that moves back and forth to produce sound.

• The speaker has a thin diaphragm.
• A damaged diaphragm can distort the sound.
• The diaphragm vibrates as music plays.

Similar words: membrane

Common phrases: speaker diaphragm, vibrating diaphragm, diaphragm material

A thin layer of body tissue that separates one space inside the body from another.

• The diagram shows the pelvic diaphragm.
• This diaphragm separates two spaces in the body.
• Several muscles form the pelvic diaphragm.

Similar words: partition

Common phrases: pelvic diaphragm, urogenital diaphragm, muscular diaphragm

To make a lens opening smaller with an adjustable barrier that limits the light entering.

• Diaphragm the lens before taking the picture.
• The technician diaphragmed the lens to reduce incoming light.
• You can diaphragm the opening to improve sharpness.

How to use it: diaphragm something (Diaphragm the lens to limit the light.)

Similar words: stop down

Common phrases: diaphragm a lens, diaphragm the opening

To work as a thin dividing layer or as a surface that vibrates.

• The thin sheet diaphragms as air pressure changes.
• The membrane diaphragmed to produce sound.
• This flexible layer can diaphragm under pressure.

Common phrases: diaphragm the cavity, diaphragm under pressure